Final answer:
The assertion that material culture alone determines all other aspects of cultural development is false, as both material and nonmaterial culture influence each other in a complex interplay.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the level of material culture in a society completely determines other aspects of cultural development is false. Material culture, which includes the physical objects and resources that people use to define their culture, does not solely dictate the development of nonmaterial aspects such as values, beliefs, norms, and practices. While material culture can influence nonmaterial culture, they are interconnected and both can affect and be affected by each other. For instance, the invention of smartphones (material culture) has changed the way we communicate and share information (nonmaterial culture), and reciprocally, the value we place on instant communication has driven advancements in smartphone technology.
Another example is how historical technologies such as railroads transformed societal structures, economies, and even geographical landscapes, inevitably influencing nonmaterial culture such as community organization and economic practices. Therefore, other aspects of cultural development, such as social relationships, everyday practices, and deeply held values, are not solely determined by material culture.